Clothes-washing machine



Sept. 23, 1952 R. R. CANDOR 2,611,256

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1946 I 4 2 SHEETS -SHEET 1 PIC-3.5

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Sept. 23, 1952 CANDQR 2,611,256

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1946 Z'SHEETS SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

Y B W QM Patented Sept. 23, 1952 1..

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE I Robert R. Candor, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,586

(Cl. (SS-12) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic appliances and more particularly to washing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide means to prevent the centrifugal tub of a, washing machine from being stalled, when too much detergent is added to the wash Water.

Another object of this inventionis to provide means for preventing the fouling of the liquid residue remaining in the discharge pump, or sump, after the machine has completed a washing operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

Int-the drawings:

Fig -1 is a diagrammatic, vertical, cross-sectional view of a washing machine embodying featuresof my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram for the timer in Fig. 1; 1

Fig.j.3 is a view, somewhat similar to Fig. 1 but showing, a modified form of the invention;

Fig.1i4 is a wiring diagram for the machine shown in Fig. 3; and

. Fig; 5 is a modification of a portion of Fig. 1.

Frequently, when a washing machine, of the centrifugal type, is operated, the motor stalls before ;,the tub reaches top spinning speed. I have discovered that one cause for this is that whenftoo much soap or detergent'is used, the agitatptwhips up a large amount of suds. The suds spill over the rim of the tub and remain in contact with the outside of the tub'a'nd other rotating parts. Consequently, when rotation of the tubis started, the additional friction thus produced frequently prevents the motor from accelerating jfast enough to prevent overloading of the motor and its overload protectors. This results in frequent blowing of fuses. However, according to this invention, this objection is overcome by removing the suds from around the tub just. before, or during, the rotational acceleration ofthe tub. This is accomplished by spraying a suds curdling orlremoving fluid around the exterior of the tub just'before, or during, the rotational acceleration of the tub;

This invention, also removes another objectionable feat l e present in washing machines. These washing machines frequently are provided with a pump for discharging the washing fluid into stationary tubs, or-sinks, which are at a higher lever than the tub of the machine. This constructionthus creates a sump'in the machine quantity of disinfectant into the liquid which is to become the heretofore mentioned residue.

This disinfectant prevents the liquid residue from becoming foul.

Conveniently, the same spray means used for removing the soap suds maybe used to introduce the above mentioned disinfectant into the sump. However, such disinfectant may be introduced'by' other means. v

The embodiment of the invention now preferred is shown in the accompanying drawings and will now be more specifically described. It is to be understood, however, that such specific disclosure is not for the purpose oflimiting the invention; but for the purpose of giving a'dis closure in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in this art to make, construct, and use the same. For example, a specific washing machine may be used as disclosed in the patent to Kendall Clark No. 2,366,236, patented January 2, 1945; and the timer controlling such a machine, may be any of the well known timers, which control the flow of electrical current-to the various parts of the machine. Merely by way of example, the timer may be as shown in the patent to Kendall Clark 2,376,901, patented May 29, 1945.

As shown in Fig. l, of this application, a cabinet I0 is provided with a transverse partition ll. Above this partition, and within the cabinet, is placed a centrifugal tub F, within which is provided an agitator E. These are actuated by power and transmission means within the easing I2, below the partition II. The tub F and agitator E may be substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of Clark Patent 2,366,236, and the mechanism in casing I 2' may be substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of said patent. A timer I3 may be electrically connected to the various parts of the-machine, and may correspond to timer '75 broadly disclosed in Patent 2,366,236; and, if desired, may

be specifically as disclosed in Patent 2,376,90 1. The invention is applicable, however, to many other constructions of washing machines.

Liquid supply means may be provided for the washing machine. A source of water may include a hot water pipe I4 and a cold water pipe [5. Preferably the pipe I4 is connected to the usual domestic hot water heater, which generally supplies hot soft water, and the pipe l5- preferably is connected to the domestic cold water system, and preferably a. source of cold soft water. The hot water pipe M is connected to" a common chamber IS. The pipe It is also connected to a thermostatic mixing valve I1, which is also. supplied by the pipe [5. The mixing. valve I! discharges through the pipe It to the chamber l6. From thence water flows (from either pipeor pipe l8) through a pressure reducing valve l9, having a constant discharge pressure, through the pipe 20 to the water supply head 2|, which discharges into the interior of tub F. This much of the supply system may be substantially identical with that disclosed in Clark Patent 2366336.

To; provide means: for removing suds from around the outside: of tub- F, a spray head 22- is placed. around the tub- F; This is supplied with a. suds removing fluid by meansof a pipe 23, which preferably supplies water capable of curdling the suds. Itis preferred to supply cold hard water through. this pipe 23. In. the embodiment shown in-Fig. l, the cold, soft water pipe I5 is connected bypipe 24 with a solute. chamber 25, which in turn connected to the pipe 23. A solute is placed in. the: chamber 25, which is capable of hardening the: water, as it flowsv throughv the chamber, to a. sufficient degree thatv it. causes curdling of the suds, sru rounding thetub Merely by way of example, any solute which. con-- tains. soluble. magnesium. or calcium salts may be used.

The.v waterextracted. in the; tub. F, flows. down to. the: partition. I l, and. from; thence throughv a. flex-- ible hose 26 to a pump 21. From .thence. the water is. discharged through a, hose. connection 95, to. stationary, tubs. or the like, frequently at a-higher; elevation than the. pump. 21., Within the pump. 21, itself, or adjacent thereto, a. sump. is. created, which. retains a small. quantity of. liquid after the operation is completed} If. the. ma.- chine. remains: idle for several days, this liquid becomes foul, and. objectionable. According to this invention, meansv are. provided, to supply a disinfectant,. and to, cause some. off this disinfectant. to remain. in the. sump. or pump, after the washing operation has been completed. To. this, end, the pipe [5' is provided with a connection. 28, to. another solute chamber. 29., which is connected by pipe 30 with. pipe 23'. A solute is placed in chamber 29, which has disinfecting. properties, and which dissolves slowly in the water passing therethrough. so that, when it is. discharged through spray head 2.2, and flows. to the pump 21, it will have suffi'cient disinfecting strength to prevent. the water residue from becoming foul. Any slowly soluble disinfectant maybe-used.

The timer [3 distributes electrical energy through the cables; 31, 32 33, 34' and 35. in proper sequence, to. the various parts of the machine to produce the, actions, shown in Fig; 2. These cables may pass, through the conduit 36; from the-timer to the lowerpart of the cabinet. The pipe; I4; is provided with a Water supply solenoid means D',, which supplies waterat maximum temperature'through the pipe 28 and head 2| to the interior of tub F.- The pipe i8 isprovided withanother water supply solenoid means C, which supplies tepid water to the head 21- and tub F. The discharge from chamber 25 is controlled by a spray water solenoid means B, which controls the flow of hard water to the spray head 22. The pipe 36 is provided with another spray solenoid means, which is also a disinfectant supply solenoid means, and which controls the flow of water through the chamber 29 to the spray head22z, v

In the operation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, clothes and a detergent are placed in the inner basket of the tub F, and the timer I3 is placed in. the start position indicated in Fig. 2. The timer I3 energizes the solenoid D or C for a predetermined length of time, which fills the tub F to thedesired level by virtue of the action of the constant pressure valve H), as more fully described in. Patent. 2,366,236. After the tub is filled, the timer l3 energizes the mechanism in casing: I 2. to cause reciprocation of the agitator E for the necessary period of time. It frequently happens that. the detergent in the water produces such a quantity of suds, that the. suds overflows, the rim of. tub F and surrounds the tub. If the volume of suds is very great, the friction. thus produced upon the. outer surface. of the tub. F, or other rotating. parts, creates such a drag on the. motor (22 of 2,366,236) that the motor is overloaded and a fuse is blown. However, ac cording to this. invention, at or near. the end of the agitation period, the solenoidB is energized to cause the discharge of cold hard water from the spray head 22. This curdles the suds and washes them. down the pipe 25 and into the pump 21, from. whence they are discharged through. they pipe 95. When the motor is energized to spin the tub F, the same may be accelerated through the starting period. without any drag caused by surrounding suds, for a sufficient length. of time to extract the greater portion of water and detergent from the clothes. Y

If desired, this initial washing. and'spinning operation may be followed by rinsing operations- Thus after a short pause, the tube is again filled and the agitator actuated to produce a first rinse. Thereafter the tube is spun for a. second extraction, after which a third filling, agitation and. spinning operation may take place. The cold hard water spray preferably is omitted after the first agitation heretofore described; but may be repeated if desired after every agitation.

period.

At the end of the last spin, the solenoid A is actuated for. a short period of time which. permits the flow of. water through the chamber. 29 and pipes 30. and 23 to the spray head 22. This water contains. disinfectant, dissolved from.cham

ber. 29,. and thesame. flows down. through the. pipe 26 to. the. pump 21,. where it remains and.

prevents the consequent. fouling of the water residue heretofore described.

While-I have shown the disinfectant as being introduced, by means of spray head 22, the pipe 32- may be connected to the pipe 20, and the dis.- infectant may be introduced into the: last rinse water. In such. a case the connections are as shown in Fig; 5 whereall the parts are identical to Fig. I except'as indicated by the suffix bf Thus the pipe 306' discharges into pipe 20b, and preferably the pipe 28b is connected to pipe 23b.

Under these conditions the solenoid Ab is ener gized for the last fill in lieu of solenoid C. By this-construction'the last rinse is also a disinfecti'ng one. If desired the chamber 29b may con-' tain a slowly soluble'blueing compound, so that the last rinse may be a blueing rinse and/or a disinfecting one.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the parts which are the same as in Fig. 1 are numbered with the same number, but with the sufiix a added. In Fig. 3, however, the pipe 50 is a cold hard water pipe which is connected to the cold hard water supply in the house as distinguished from a cold soft water supply pipe l5a or the hot soft water supply Ma. If the volume of water used is not of consequence, the water flowing through the pipe 50 need not necessarily be hard as usually understood; but may be the usual cold water available in the residence. The disinfectant connection shown in Fig. 1 may be used or omitted, as desired. The solenoid Ad, in this instance, is controlled by the timer; but throughthe medium of the usual starting winding control of the motor. The solenoid valve Ad is open as long as the starting winding of the motor is energized. Fig. 4 shows how this is done, this figure corresponding to Fig. 18 of Patent 2,376,901, with the connection to the solenoid valve Aa added. It is to be understood that the usual centrifugal starting switch is placed on the motor to control the energization of the starting winding 56. This centrifugal switch is indicated at 60. As long as th motor is below top speed, the switch 60 is closed; but opens when the motor attains its normal run speed. The solenoid valve Aa is likewise energized and permits the flow of water as long as the motor runs below top speed. The remainder of the wiring diagram has the same connections, and the same operation, as described in Patent 2,376,901; and therefore such parts are neither numbered nor further described.

In the operation of the modification shown in Fig. 3, clothes, detergent and water are introduced as heretofore described with respect to Fig. 1.

Whenever the motor is started, the starting winding 56 is energized, and consequently also the valve Ad. However, when the motor is energized for agitation, it accelerates very quickly, so that the solenoid valve Ad is open but a very short time, and only a very small amount of liquid is sprayed at 22a. When the motor is energized for the spin operation, the acceleration is relatively slow, and the starting winding 56 is energized for a long period of time, during the slow acceleration. During this time, cold water is sprayed from the head 22a, so that the suds, which may be surrounding the tub Fa, are quickly washed away from the tub, and the tub is allowed to accelerate without danger of overloading the motor.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable tub adapted to contain articles to be washed, detergent and water; agitating mean in said tub; power means selectively to agitate said agitatmeans for said tub; a sump and pump to receive and forcibly discharge liquid centrifugally extracted from said tub during rotation thereof; a

timer controlling the operation of said power means and pump sequentially to control respectively introduction of water into said tub, agitation of said agitating means, rotation of said tub with operation of said pump and to stop operation of said washing machine with a residual amount of water in said pump, and means con-' trolled by said timer to introduce disinfectant into said residual amount of water.

2. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable tub adapted to contain articles to be washed, detergent and water; agitating means in said tub; power means selectively to agitate said agitating means and to rotate said tub; a casing enclosing said tub, agitating means and power means; suds curdling spray means to spray suds curdling liquid between said casing and tub independently of introduction of liquid in said. tub; water supply means for said tub; means to treat water from said water supply means to render it a suds curdling liquid and deliver it to said spray means; a timer controlling the operation of said power means, suds curdling spray means and water supply means sequentially to control respectively filling of said tub with water, agitation of said agitating means, operation of said spray means, and rotation of said tub.

3. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable tub adapted to contain articles to be washed, detergent and water; agitating means in said tub; power means selectively to agitate said agitating means and to rotate said tub; a casing enclosing said tub, agitating means and power means; suds curdling spray means to spray suds curdling liquid between said casing and tub independently of introduction of liquid in said tub; soft water supply means for said tub; hard water supply means independent of said soft water supply means connected to said spray means; a timer controlling the operation of said power means, soft water supply means and hard water supply means sequentially to control respectively filling of said tub with soft water, agitation of said agitating means, operation of said spray means, and rotation of said tub.

ROBERT R. CANDOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,154,566 Frantz et al Apr. 18, 1939 2,298,096 Dunham Oct. 6, 1942 2,304,454 Gudmundsen Dec. 8, 1942 2,328,432 Dunham Aug. 31, 1943 2,331,699 Kirby Oct. 12, 1943 2,372,770 De Remer Apr. 3, 1945 2,380,732 Dunham July 31, 1945 2,425,378 Lindemann Aug. 12, 1947 

